Another new chapter for the amazing Mersey
Overview
The River Mersey, once known as the dirtiest in Europe, has seen a remarkable transformation – thanks to the hugely successful Mersey Basin Campaign which turned around 200 years of industrial and sewage pollution. Forty-five species of fish found were found in 2023 by The Mersey Estuary Species Hunt, including rays, scorpion fish, types of eel and even the rare venomous bluemouth rockfish.
Challenge
There’s more to do. We’re now turning our attention to tackling pollution from storm overflows. Runcorn wastewater treatment works sits on the side of the Manchester Ship Canal and in heavy rainfall it discharges storm water into the canal and on into the River Mersey.
Solution
A £4.1m project is just getting under way at the site that will build additional storage capacity.
Outcome
Projects like this will form part of our commitment to create better rivers. We are planning on investing £166 million to reduce spills from 20 storm overflows in Merseyside, as part of a proposed £13.7 billon investment to make a stronger, greener, healthier North West.